goodbye

The pup is tentative, shy. Hazel doesn't blame them. She can't. There's something about this situation, the inherent danger. Just being left out here, though? As an adult, it strikes her how fucked up that is. Now that Hazel knows how much bad there is out in the world... it makes her even more angry. It makes her angry for her situation, it makes her angry for the pup beside her. She's angry at the world all over again. How can things be so fucked up? All of the thoughts in her head are dark for a long moment, but Hazel pushes them away. It's not the time. The General has bigger things to worry about.

The pup closes the gap, introduces themself. "Spider, then." She regards the pup fondly, staying still while the pup closes the gap. She remains gentle, neutral. "The world is yours now, know that?" Hazel sighs gently, wistful for a moment. It's a unique kind of freedom, one that Hazel can't explain or describe. It takes living it, to know. Like members of a secret club, the two of them sit within the Nook.

"Is there anything you want to take from it?" The world, Hazel means. It's a big question for such a little pup, but in a moment like this, it feels appropriate.

"Speech"